Endothermic beverage cooler

ABSTRACT

The invention includes a system and method for cooling a plurality of containers. Preferably, the apparatus and method comprise a plurality of compartments operable to receive and retain the plurality of containers. Further, a liner is provided that is in operative engagement with at least two of the compartments. The liner is provided with chemicals that cause an endothermic reaction to cool the compartments when the chemicals are activated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/889,151, filed on Feb. 9, 2007 andentitled ENDOTHERMIC BEVERAGE COOLER, the entire contents of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cooling beverage containers.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various implementations for cooling or keeping cold beverage containers,e.g., cans or bottles, are known. Most commonly, people userefrigerators, freezers, ice or ice packs, or the like. Using ice or icepack over an extended period of time, however, requires a separateinsulated unit, such as a cooler, to hold the ice or ice pack to preventthe ice or ice pack from melting.

Over time, various chemical solutions have been proposed to cool abeverage container without requiring refrigeration or ice. Chemicalsolutions typically include gas and/or liquid that forms as a result ofan endothermic reaction. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,726 issued toRosenfeld et al. (“Rosenfeld”) is directed to a beverage container thatis cooled by a small reservoir of a compressed nontoxic gas or nontoxicliquid in the interior of the beverage. The beverage is rapidly cooledwhen the gas is allowed to escape from the reservoir through a throttle,the device being generally in the form of a flat plate in the interiorof the beverage.

FIGS. 1A-1E of the drawings illustrate example prior art beveragecontainer holders of the type in which the beverages are shipped and/orsold. The examples shown in FIGS. 1A-1E are constructed of cardboard.Various heights and widths of prior art beverage container holding units100 are shown in FIG. 1A-FIG. 1E.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example prior art beverage container holding unit100 holder for 24 glass bottles 102, such as commonly used for a case ofbeer. Included in FIG. 1's beverage container holding unit 100 arepartitions 104 that intersect to form individual cells 106. As known inthe art, cells 106 may be fairly short, for example, an inch or less inheight, or may be quite tall, for example, six to ten inches tall. Theheight and width of each cell is dependent, in part, upon the size ofthe respective beverage container 102.

FIG. 1B illustrates the example prior art beverage container holdingunit 100 shown in FIG. 1A with bottles 102 placed therein. FIG. 1Cillustrates an alternative prior art beverage container holding unit 100that holds jugs 102 within partitions 104. FIG. 1D illustratespartitions 104 that form cells 106 and which is operable to be placedwith in beverage container holding unit 100 (not shown). FIG. 1Eillustrates an example beverage container holding unit 100 formed tohold a six-pack of bottles 102.

Unfortunately, placing beverage containers 102 in beverage containerholding unit 100 does not keep the containers 102 cool or cold. In orderto keep a beverage container 102 cool or cold, the user must place theentire beverage container holding unit 100 in a refrigerator or othercooling device, or remove the beverages containers 102 from beveragecontainer holding unit 100 and store the containers 102 directly in acooling device, such as a refrigerator, beverage cooler or the like.

Various techniques have been proposed for cooling containers. U.S. Pat.No. 3,726,106 issued to Jaeger (“Jaeger”) is directed to a self heatingor cooling container having two separable sections, one for enclosing acooling or heating chemical and the other for enclosing the product tobe cooled or heated. The coolant-heating agent section has a valveassembly that when activated causes the product to change temperature.The separable sections allow forming and filling each sectionindividually during the manufacturing process.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,678 issued to Rudick et al. (“Rudick”) is directedto a self-cooling container for the cooling of a beverage by anendothermic chemical reaction as the cooling mechanism. The coolingmechanism, located in an inner chamber within the container, is easilyand safely actuated.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,048 issued to Kimmelshue (“Kimmelshue”) relates tocooling devices, and more particularly pertains to quickly cooling fluidor solid foodstuffs retained within a container. When a user of thecontainer removes a “pop top,” a drinking aperture is formed for accessto the retained beverage and additionally, the conduit is exposedwhereby the user can manually move an ammonium nitrate holder downwardlywithin the conduit to effect a rupturing of the membrane. Upon a mixingof the ammonium nitrate with distilled water, an endothermic reaction iscreated which results in a rapid cooling of the beverage prior to itsconsumption.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,237 issued to Bond et al. (“Bond”) is directed to aself-cooling container in which a segregating wall is used to divide thecontainer into a beverage chamber and a cooling chamber, the latterhaving a reaction chamber mounted therein, which in a preferredembodiment is of an elongated cylindrical shape. The reaction chambercylinder of the invention provides an inverted funnel-shaped bottomsurface for receiving the flow of beverage from the beverage chamberportion of the container through a feed-through at the bottom of thesegregating wall thereof. A reaction chamber houses a combination ofchemical materials separated by a readily broken sealing device from aselected volume of distilled water, which released into the chemicalconstituents, initiates an endothermic reaction which extracts heat fromthe beverage.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,588 issued to Hewlett (“Hewlett”) is directed to animproved multi-layer wrap for keeping a beverage container cool. Aninsulating blanket is inserted into an outer pocket of the wrap assemblythrough an entrance opening thereto. An inner pocket has an open end forremovably receiving a blanket containing a heat absorbing material. Apacket is constructed so that, upon the application of pressure, it willrupture and the water will intermix with ammonium nitrate pellets thatare stored therein. Such mixing will effect an endothermic reactionwherein heat will be absorbed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,817 issued to Anthony (“Anthony”) relates totemperature changing devices and in particular to portable or disposablefood or beverage coolers and heaters. A vortex tube is provided whichsupplies the needed heating or cooling effect to the beverage in thecan.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,378 issued to Rebotier (“Rebotier”) is directed to acooling drinking straw. The invention consists of inserting one orseveral cores in the central straw of a drinking unit, through which thebeverage flows to be cooled or heated, flows the fluid to be heated orcooled. By altering the flow, the core plus tube system is equivalent toa narrower and longer tube. This allows to manufacture an efficientnon-coiled central straw. The straw and core characteristic of theinvention can have different shapes. The core needs not have the fulllength of the straw. In most embodiments the core has no thermal role,but in particular cases it can contribute to the heat or cold storage.Several cores, not necessarily joined, can be used in the same straw.Core and straw or straw only can be bent and shaped in various shapes.The drinking unit can be made of an enclosure containing an active orpassive medium delivering cold or heat. The end-pieces of the unit canbe made to accommodate detachable extensions such as a mouthpiece or astraw extension.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,720 issued to Stone (“Stone”) is directed to asleeve or a wrapper used to keep liquid contained in a container, suchas a glass or bottle or can, cool. The sleeve contains materials thatgenerate light when activated and chemicals that absorb heat whencombined. The light is generated in an upper portion of the sleeve whileheat is absorbed in a lower portion of the sleeve. The sleeve can bere-used by storing the sleeve in a refrigerator or freezer after theinitial use which does not require such pre-cooling.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,684 issued to Scudder (“Scudder”) relates to acontainer having a container body, a thermic module at one end of thebody, and a closure at the other end of the body. Food, beverage,medicine or other material to be heated or cooled is contained in amaterial cavity in the container body. The thermic module contains achemical reactant that is segregated from another reactant in thecontainer. When a user actuates the thermic module, the reactants mixand produce a reaction that, depending upon the reactants, eitherproduces heat, i.e., an exothermic reaction, and thereby heats thecontainer contents, or absorbs heat, i.e., an endothermic reaction, andthereby cools the container contents.

While the prior art teaches various techniques that may be effective forcooling a single container as a function of a user-controlledendothermic reaction, no unit is taught that is operable to cool aplurality of beverage containers at once. Further, the prior artbeverage cooling devices are complicated, which increases manufacturingcosts.

SUMMARY

In one example embodiment, a single unit that is operable to hold aplurality of beverage containers is provided to cool the containerswithout requiring refrigeration or ice. The unit is preferably incomplexand made of a relatively inexpensive construction, such as cardboard.The portable unit is disposable following a single use. Alternatively,the unit is recyclable. Alternatively, the beverage container holder maybe made of any other suitable materials, such as plastic or metal.

In another example embodiment, an apparatus and method are provided forcooling a plurality of containers that comprises a plurality ofcompartments operable to receive and retain the plurality of containers.Preferably, a liner is provided that is in operative engagement with atleast two of the compartments, wherein the liner is provided withchemicals that cause an endothermic reaction to cool the compartmentswhen the chemicals are activated.

In another example embodiment, a liner is included with the beverageholding unit that includes one or more chemicals that is/are retainedwithin a barrier within the liner. The chemical, such as ammoniumchloride or ammonium nitrate, when mixed with water or other substance,results in an endothermic reaction. In one embodiment, the liner isprovided as a self-contained and portable insert to in the art, isprovided as a self-contained portable unit and can be inserted inbeverage container holding unit, such as a typical cardboard case usedfor beer or other beverages. In an alternative embodiment, the liner iscoupled and fixed to the beverage holding unit and is not provided as aself-contained and separate unit. Preferably, the liner that is providedwith cooling chemicals surrounds each container inside the unit. Oncethe cooling chemicals are activated within the liner, such as causingthe ammonium chloride to mix with water, the liner becomes cold.Consequently, the beverage containers inside the unit are cooled.

The liner preferably contains chemicals that are separated by one ormore barriers and, when mixed, become cold. Preferably, the activationof the chemicals within the liner may be initiated in various ways. Forexample, a drawstring is pulled by a user and causes an inner bag withinthe liner to crack, thereby allowing the chemicals to mix and cool theliner. Alternatively, a dial is attached to one or more wires inside theliner that is used to crack an inner bag of chemicals. In yet anotherembodiment, a push button is coupled to wires that can be used to causethe inner bag to crack. In still yet another embodiment, a device may beused in which an inner bag or membrane ruptures that results in a mixingof chemicals or contents in the inner bag with chemicals or contents inan outer bag to produce an endothermic reaction. For example, the innerbag or membrane may rupture by a forcible impact, such as by a usersqueezing the inner and outer bags together or the like. See, forexample, sport or first aid ice packs, including those sold byGOGOODS.COM, INC. of Columbia, Md.

Preferably, the liner is carried/stored at ambient room temperaturesuntil activation is required. Once the endothermic chemical reaction isinitiated, the liquid within the pack is cooled, for example, to fivedegrees Celsius, and within as little as three seconds. After usage, thepack can be discarded as the chemical contents are preferablybiodegradable.

Preferably, beverage containers of various sizes, such as 8 oz, 12 oz,16 oz or the like are preferably accommodated by the unit describedherein. Further, the unit may hold virtually any number of containers,including a 24-pack (such as a case), an 18-pack, an 12-pack, a 6-packor the like. Alternatively, the unit holds one single beveragecontainer. This single beverage container embodiment fits snugly aroundthe beverage container, thereby allowing a person to drink or pour fromthe container while the container remains in the unit.

Preferably, the unit is adapted to support any sized beverage container,including wine bottles, large water jugs or the like. Further, a handle,rope or string may be provided for carrying purposes.

In yet another embodiment, the cooling system is adapted for kegs andbeer balls. FIG. 2G illustrates an example beer keg 216 that is providedwith liner 204. In this alternative embodiment, surrounding tubing maybe provided through which a beverage, such as beer, flows. In thisalternative embodiment, the cooling system may be provided as a portableunit is provided with a keg, such as near the keg tap or hose throughwhich been flows. The cooling system may be provided to function suchthat beer flows through tubing cooled by liner 204, thereby cooling thebeer as it flows out the tap. In yet another alternative, a tube isprovided that is formatted as a lining which surrounds a beverage ballor keg. The lining is preferably provided with chemicals operable for anendothermic chemical reaction that cools the ball or keg.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the liner includes in twochambers that are positioned, for example, top and bottom or side byside. The two chambers are preferably separated by a perforatedmidsection that is removable. For example, a plastic strip, pull cord,or the like is provided with the perforation that, when removed, causesliner chambers to breach, effectively causing the liner to become onepiece. This enables a mixing of the cooling chemicals, dry ice tablets,or the like, thereby causing the endothermic reaction.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description that refers to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustration, there is shown in the drawings a formwhich is presently preferred, it being understood, however, that theteachings herein are not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown. The features and advantages of the teachingsherein will become apparent from the following description that refersto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate example prior art beverage container holders;

FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate example beverage containers in accordance withexample embodiments; and

FIG. 2G illustrates an example liner in accordance with a preferredembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the teachings herein, an instant cooler is preferablyprovided for containers, such as bottles, without a need forrefrigeration, ice or the like.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer tolike elements, FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate example embodiments of thebeverage container holding unit 200 in accordance with the teachingsherein. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2F, cells 202 are provided with liner 204,which includes coolant chemicals, such as ammonium chloride separatedfrom water as a function of a barrier (not shown), as known in the art.Preferably, chemicals in liner 204 are activated by a user that enablethe chemicals to mix and become cold. For example, one or more wires(not shown) provided within liner 204 operate to breach the barrier(s)within liner 204, thereby permitting the chemical(s) to mix and totrigger an endothermic reaction. Of course, one skilled in the art willrecognize that alternative features can be provided instead of wire tocause a breach within the liner's 204 barrier thereby enabling a mixingof chemicals within the liner 204.

In a preferred embodiment, liner 204 is provided within the walls andfloor of each cell 106 of beverage container holding unit 200.

Various embodiments shown in FIGS. 2B-2F are provided with alternativeexample elements envisioned herein that enable a user to cause thechemicals in liner 204 to mix and, accordingly, become cool.

In the example shown in FIG. 2B, push button 206 is operable to causethe chemicals within liner 202 to mix. In one embodiment, when the userpushes button 206, wires or another feature within liner 204 actuates,thereby causing the chemicals to mix and the corresponding endothermicreaction.

In the example shown in FIG. 2C, dial 208 is operable to cause thechemicals within liner 202 to mix. In one embodiment, when the userturns dial 208, wires or another feature within liner 204 causes thechemicals to mix. Alternatively, dial 204 may be operable with a timingmechanism (not shown) that can be set by a user to cause the mixing ofchemicals in liner 202 at a predetermined time. For example, in case auser wishes to have the beverages in beverage container 102 to be cooledthree hours after a certain time, the user sets the dial 204 to a valueindicating three hours, and after the expiration of that time, acorresponding mechanism functions to activate the chemicals, forexample, by mixing them.

An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 2D, in which a pull string(or, alternatively, cord or the like) is operated by the user to causethe chemicals within liner 202 to mix and become cold. For example, bypulling cord 210, the barriers separating the respective elements (e.g.,water and ammonium chloride) are breached, thereby causing theendothermic reaction to occur when the chemicals become activated.

An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 2E, in which the activatingmember 212 is operated by the user to cause the chemicals within liner202 to mix and become cold. For example, by actuating member 206,barriers that separate the respective elements (e.g., water and ammoniumchloride) that, when mixed, become cool.

In yet another alternative embodiment and shown in FIG. 2F, pull tab 214is provided that may include one or more sharp ends that operate topuncture or otherwise breach the barriers separating the chemicals. Asdescribed above with respect to button 206, dial 208, cord 210, andmember 212, when pull tab 214 is actuated, the chemicals within liner204 to mix.

Of course, one skilled in the art will recognize that other embodimentsare envisioned herein, such as those described and not shown in thecorresponding reference figures. For example, although the embodimentshown in FIGS. 2A-2D include beverage container holding units 200 madeof cardboard, one skilled in the art will recognize that other materialscan be used to fashion beverage container holding unit 200, includingplastic, metal, or other material. In a preferred embodiment, beveragecontainer holding unit 200 is disposable and/or recyclable, and,therefore, a cardboard is a preferred material for beverage containerholding unit's 200 construction. In an alternative embodiment,replaceable and self-contained liners are provided for the beveragecontainer holding unit 200.

In yet another embodiment, an agitating member (not shown) is providedwithin beverage container holding unit 200 and operable for initiatingor improving mixing of the respective elements (e.g., water and ammoniumchloride). The agitating member may be provided in various ways. Forexample, retractable arms may be provided within beverage cooling unit200 that are positioned on respective sidewalls. When the linercontaining chemicals are mixed, the arms of the agitating member actuateto cause the elements to mix. Alternatively, the arms of the agitatingmember cause the liner to fold, thereby improving the mixing process ofthe elements. One skilled in the art will appreciate that alternativeconstructions can be applied without departing from the spirit of theteachings herein. Any mechanical construction that enables the elementswithin the liner to combine and/or mix is preferably supported by theteachings herein.

Beverage cooling unit 200 provides benefits over prior art devices thatrequire the use of ice or cooled air, such as thermoses andrefrigerators. By eliminating a need for ice or cold air, a savings ofelectricity is realized by the beverage cooling unit 200. Further, priorart beverage containers, such as those made of cardboard, are typicallythrown away after bottles are removed therefrom and placed, for example,in refrigerators or coolers. Thus, beverage cooling unit 200 reduceswaste by providing instant cooling directly therein, without requiring auser to remove bottles for cooling. Further, users often place bottlesin prior art beverage containers directly into a refrigerator or cooler,thereby refrigerating and cooling the cardboard container, in additionto the bottles. Another benefit of beverage cooling unit 200 is thatonly the bottles in the container 200 are cooled, without a need forcooling the cardboard container, as well.

Thus, beverage cooling unit 200 provides so-called “green” solutions toprior art beverage containers, that are often disposed of afterproviding a single use of holding a plurality of beverage containers.

Although the present invention is described and shown in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It ispreferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by thespecific disclosure herein.

1. An apparatus for cooling a plurality of containers, the apparatuscomprising: a plurality of compartments operable to receive and retainthe plurality of containers; and a liner in operative engagement with atleast two of the compartments, wherein the liner is provided withchemicals that cause an endothermic reaction to cool the compartmentswhen the chemicals are activated.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinat least one of the plurality of compartments has at least one wall anda floor, and further wherein the liner is coupled to at least one of thewall and floor.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chemicalsinclude at least one selected from the group consisting of ammoniumchloride, ammonium nitrate, dry ice and water.
 4. The apparatus ofclaims 1, wherein the liner includes at least one chamber, wherein theat least one chamber contains the chemicals.
 5. The apparatus of claim4, wherein the at least one chamber is separated by a perforatedsection.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the perforated section isremovable.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a tearingmember operable to pierce at least one of the at least two chambers. 8.The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the tearing member is at least oneselected from the group consisting of a strip and a pull cord.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mixing element in the atleast two of the compartments and operable to cause the chemicals tobecome activated.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the mixingelement is a rigid member.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein therigid member is at least one selected from the group consisting of wire,a rod, a screw and a nail.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising an control member and operable to actuate the mixing element.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the control member is at leastone selected from the group consisting of a dial, a pushbutton and adrawstring.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a timercontrol operable to activate the control member after a predefinedperiod of time.
 15. An apparatus for cooling fluid, the apparatuscomprising: a storage container containing the liquid; a conduit thoughwhich the fluid flows; and a liner in operative engagement with at leasta portion of the conduit, wherein the liner is provided with chemicalsthat cause an endothermic reaction to cool the conduit when thechemicals are activated.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein thestorage container is a keg.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein theconduit is coupled to a tap.
 18. A method for cooling a plurality ofcontainers, the method comprising: providing a plurality of compartmentsoperable to receive and retain the plurality of containers; andproviding a liner in operative engagement with at least two of thecompartments, wherein the liner is provided with chemicals that cause anendothermic reaction to cool the compartments when the chemicals areactivated.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one of theplurality of compartments is formed with at least one wall and a floor,and further wherein the liner is coupled to at least one of the wall andfloor.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the chemicals include atleast one selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride,ammonium nitrate, dry ice and water.
 21. An apparatus for cooling aplurality of containers, the apparatus comprising: a plurality ofcompartments operable to receive and retain the plurality of containers;and a cooling mechanism in operative engagement with at least two of thecompartments, wherein the cooling mechanism cools the compartments whenactivated.